Black Bottom Creme Pie Recipes

Steps:

• Make the shell:
• In a food processor grind coarse the pecans with the sugar and transfer the mixture to a bowl. In the food processor blend together the flour, the butter, and the salt until the mixture resembles meal and add the flour mixture to the pecan mixture. Add the ice water, toss the mixture until the water is incorporated, and press it onto the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch (1-quart) pie plate, crimping the edge decoratively. Chill the shell for 1 hour, prick it all over with a fork, and line it with foil. Fill the foil with the rice, bake the shell in the lower third of a preheated 425°F. oven for 10 minutes, and remove the foil and rice carefully. Reduce the heat to 375°F., bake the shell for 12 to 15 minutes more, or until it is golden brown, and let it cool on a rack.
• In a small metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth, spread the mixture in the bottom and halfway up the side of the shell, and let it cool. Chill the shell.
• Make the filling while the shell is chilling:
• In a large metal bowl combine the bourbon and the water, sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid, and let it soften. In a saucepan heat the brown sugar, the milk, and the salt over moderate heat, stirring, until the mixture is hot and the sugar is dissolved and whisk in the butter. (The mixture will appear slightly curdled.) In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, add the hot milk mixture in a stream, whisking, and pour the mixture into the pan. Cook the custard over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until it is thickened and registers 160°F. on a candy thermometer and add it to the gelatin mixture. Stir in the vanilla and the nutmeg and stir the mixture until it is cold and the consistency of raw egg whites, and remove the bowl from the ice water. In another bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks, fold it into the custard mixture gently but thoroughly, and pour the filling into the chilled shell. Chill the pie for 6 hours or overnight.
• Decorate the pie:
• In a very small skillet or saucepan cook the sugar over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt, cook, stirring with a fork, until it is melted completely and turns a golden caramel, and reduce the heat to low. Working quickly, add the pecans, turning them to coat them thoroughly with the caramel, and with the fork transfer them, 1 at a time, to a piece of foil to cool. In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks, drop it by heaping tablespoons around the edge of the pie, and arrange a caramelized pecan in the center of each dollop.

Steps:

• Make the crust: Stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until crust is set and begins to turn golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Make the filling: Sift together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt into a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until almost boiling. Reduce heat to medium; add chocolate. Cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate has melted and mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over crust. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
• Make the topping: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Let stand until soft, about 3 minutes. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin mixture, and let cool completely. Stir in vanilla and rum. Briefly place pan in an ice-water bath to thicken slightly, if needed. Do not let it set completely. Set aside.
• Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low; continue beating while you make syrup.
• Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Cook, without stirring, until syrup registers 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Raise mixer speed to high, and beat egg whites just until stiff peaks begin to form. Immediately pour syrup into egg whites in a slow, steady stream near side of bowl, avoiding whisk. Beat until glossy and cooled, about 7 minutes.
• Fold meringue mixture into reserved gelatin mixture in 3 batches until just combined. Mound the mixture into the chocolate-filled crust. Refrigerate pie for 2 1/2 hours or overnight before serving.